LETTER: Alaskans should not rely on PFD

To the editor:

Although an unpopular opinion, I agree with Governor Bill Walker’s decision to cap the Permanent Fund dividend. In Dr. Jack Hickel’s article Plan Must Strengthen Both Permanent Fund and dividend on September 14, 2016, he made a statement that says “The Permanent Fund belongs to all Alaskans. The Permanent Fund dividend belongs to each individual Alaskan and it should be used by each individual as he or she determines best.”

I STRONGLY oppose this statement. Alaskans do not have a right to the Permanent Fund dividend and all Alaskans should be grateful that they receive any money. As also discussed in the article, in less fortunate areas in Alaska, they depend on the PFD to pay for their natural needs such as food and medical expenses.

Alaskans should not depend on the PFD for survival. If that is the case, then those citizens need to evaluate what they are doing with their money and find a job that will support themselves and their families.

As of last year the state provided $1.33 billion in PFD’S. Whereas only $1.3 billion is provided to students for their education. Are Alaskans trying to say that the things they decide to spend their PFD on is more important than children’s education? It is not.

The money Alaskan citizens receive is not a right, it is a privilege that can be taken away so Alaskans can’t be relying on the PFD for items that can be earned from hard work.

— Haley Slack

Palmer